1 History and Forms of Government
Dec 10, 2014
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History and Forms of Government
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The Development of Government
• Force Theory – claimed by violence or threat of violence
• Evolutionary Theory – developed through families and tribes
• Divine Right Theory – God(s) gave power to those in charge
• Social Contract Theory – people give up some of their freedoms to the state for promote the well being of all
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Beginning
• Families or tribes– one leader– customs & superstitions– influenced decisions
• 10,000 yrs. ago established villages – little government
– provided protection and food
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Ancient Times
• -3500 BC small cities w/ services
• rulers usually religious leaders
• -Divine Right - rule came from god
• -Military enforced rules
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Greeks
• city-states 1st democracy • Aristotle & Plato 300 BC
– Rule of Law• everyone must follow
the law
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Romans
• philosopher power from the people
• Cicero people have natural rights
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Middle Ages
• -700’s feudal system w/ lord & vassals
• some court customs still used
• rule by divine right & power – from the church
• Gave way to: • Absolute Monarchy &
Constitutional Monarchy (England)
• Constitutional Law – all men must obey the law
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Modern Times
• Colonial governments of the 1700’s had legislatures
• US and French revolution establish representative democracy
• By 1900’s much of Europe was under totalitarianism
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Forms of Government
• Aristotle classified government by the number of rulers
• Each category could be– Virtuous – benefit of all– Corrupt – benefit of the ruler
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Autocracy - ruled by one person
• two types– Monarchy - hereditary rulers have the power
for life• Caesar king, queen, czar, or sultan
– Dictatorship – governed with a ruler with unlimited power
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Monarchy
• Before 1900’s
• Mostly Absolute Monarchy - unlimited power
• Few Constitutional Monarchy – Limited power by law
• Today most monarchs are ceremonial– executive power is held by a prime minister
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Dictatorship
• Power acquired & maintained through fear violence and force war, revolution & assassination
• limit personal freedoms• depend on military and police• some gain power legally• Today many still rule
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Oligarchy - Ruled by few people
• Several Types– Aristocracy– Theocracy– Junta– Authoritarianism – Totalitarianism
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Oligarchy Cont.
• Aristocracy – ruled by a privileged few, usually with inherited wealth social rank & ability– feel they are superior– idea of equality added to decline
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Oligarchy Cont.
• Theocracy – controlled by priests or priestesses with civil and religious authority god handed down government
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Oligarchy Cont.
• Junta – small group of military officers take control of a government – usually one officer takes
power and it – turns into a dictatorship
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Oligarchy Cont.
• Authoritarianism– power is in the hands of the party leaders
• legislatures pass without debate party policies
• rights usually violated
• absolute loyalty
• usually ends up totalitarian a dictatorship
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Oligarchy Cont.
• Totalitarianism – total government control over political, economic, cultural religious, or social activities no personal freedom
• individual servant of state
• terror tactics used by secret police
• One political party • Lead by dictator• demand absolute
loyalty• Can be an autocracy
(dictatorship)• Sometimes an
oligarchy (Junta or Communism)
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Democracy
• Ruled by many people
• Two types– Direct – Indirect
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Direct Democracy
• People make the laws themselves– citizens vote on laws
• Initiative• Referendum• Recall
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Indirect Democracy
• People choose representatives to make laws for them– aka. representative demo. or republic
• Elect a set number of reps. to a legislative body– congress, assembly, parliament, senate, council or
legislature
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Geographic Power Distribution
• Unitary – All power held and given by a Central Government
• Federal – Power is shared by central and local governments Division of Power
• Confederate - Alliance between independent states (countries) that has only the power given to it
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